Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-04-29
SIR EDWARDS MISSION
SPECULATION REGARDING IT BRITISH
MONEY IN VIRGINIA.
Does England Propose to Ask This Government to
Assume the Bonded Indebtedness Of Virginia
As 10 the Foreign Holders ?-LOrd
SaliSbury'S Policy.

As 10 the Foreign Holders Lord
Salisbury's Policy.
WASHINGTON, April 28.-It is believed
in the best informed official circles here
that the mission of Sir Edward Thornton
to this 9untry in behalf of the British
holder of Virginia bonds, has deeper
significance than appears upon the surface
of things. It is believed that the Sails
bury Government has delegated Sir Edward
to confer with the Virginia Legislature, as
the professed representative OF the bond
holders but as the actual though undis-
closed representative of the British Govern
ment, with the object of ascertaining clear
ly the purpose of the State of Virginia re-
lative to to the portion of her debt held by
British capitalists. 1t is known that with
in the last week letter has been received
here from London from party deeply in
terested in the result of Sir Edwards
mission, saying that the Salisbury Cabinet
had deemed it expedient, in view Of the
portentious situation growing out Of the
practical espOusal of the cause Of Ireland
by Gladstone, to resort to the tactics by
which Disraeli was successful IN dlVertlng
the attention of cOntending parties at
home-namely, the adoption of vigorous
policy for the protection of British inter-
eSts abroad.
The first evidence of this new policy, the
letter says, was the demand (eXecuted
three weeks or more ago. for the instant
payment Of the indebtedness of The Hay
tian Government TO the English capitalists
arrregating million dollars. Almost con-
currently with this came the vigorous or
der from the British Foreign Office looking
TO the forcible collection from the republic
of Venezuela OF the G1O, ,OOO, 600 OF indebt-
edness due by Venezuela to British cap
italists. The latest development known
in Washington of this latter phase of the
new Salisbury policy is au apparently well
authenticated report that the British MIN
lister at Caracas, Frederick Robert St.JOhn,
had progressed so far in carrying ont the
the belligerent policy of his Government
towards the Venezuelan republic that he
had announced to President Guzman
BlancO his summary recall to England.
The final, and by far the most import
ant step of this new policy for the protec-
ton of suffering British interests is be
lieved to be the sending of Sir Edward
Thornton to confer with the Legislature at
Richmond. In connection with this latest
phase is significantly considered the most
extraordinary proposition OF the Salisbury
Cabinet to this country in regard to the
fisheries troubles There are few, if any,
diplomatic people here who believe that
Great Britain would have deliberately Of
tered, without an ulteriOr motive, to sur
render So, 800, 600, the amount of the Hall
fax fisheries award, when the belief Is uni
versal among Englishmen that the Geneva
award exceeded by between seven and
eight million dollars the actual damage
done by the English Confederate privateers
Alabama, Florida and Shenandoah.
1t is surmised, and not without cOnsid-
erablc plausibility, that this ulterior mo-
tive is closely associated with the vast
British interest involved in the settlement
Of the Virginia debt matter. The British
hOndholders have for some y ears been max
ing an effort at Richmond to get the Legis-
lature to adjust their claim satisfactorily,
but without result. Operating in conJunc-
tiOn with them has been strong influence
represented by a well-knOwn Wall street
operator, j. c. Mabin, seeking to induce
West Virginia 10 assume her share of the
debt allotted by the Riddleberger settle
ment."
The brains of this Mabin side-show tO
the great British negotiation is somewhat
erTatic but very talented West Nirginian,
James Nj. Mason, son of James NJ. Mason,
of Virginia noted for his association with
the Trent affair in the rebellion and for his
distinguished services previously rs Sen
atOr from Virginia. Mr. Mahin was late
ly before the Legislature Ot West Virginia
at Charleston, advocating u proposition
hedging upon an honest assumption by West
Virginia of the One-third which is general
ly believed to be her Legitimate share of
the $45, ,O00 90 debt to Virginia.
But his efforts are thus far practically
without result. Indeed, so barren of sat
isfactOry results has been all effort with
either the Virginia or West Virginia Leg
iSlature towards securing fair recognition
OF the great Virginia debt, that but little
patience remains with the lOng-sufiering
English creditors. The conclusion is be-
lieyed to be that inasmuCh rs pacific means
have utterly failed to produce satisfactory
results, the hest proposition procured from
the Virginia Legislature scaling the debt
on ~ tn ~ ~ Ii,ra an1 fha
position assumed by the West Virginia
Legislature amounting to absolute repudia
ton, iOrcible representations are contem-
plated by the British Government cOntin-
gent upon the success of Sir Edward
Thornton with the Legislators at Richmond.
The alternative is believed here to he
that the Salisbury Government cOmtem-
plates formal demand that the Federal
Government assume the debt of Virginia
and of its late integral territory, West
Virginia.
The unquestioned ability and the suS-
pected purpose of Great Britain to force a
settlement of that portion of the Virginia
debt due the British subjects bring TO mind
the Blaine prOpOSltiOn-made no doubt 10
capture the political influence of Virginia
that the Federal Government assume the
States debt in lieu of the sixteen million
acres of which the old State was dismem-
bered by reason of the admission of West
Virginia into the Union by Congress in
1863, 1t is believed by some pretty well
informed people here that the United
States Government may be called upon be-
fore long to consider the Blaine proposition
in another form at the urgent solicitation
of the British Government, and that the
mission Of the late British Minister to
Washington, Mr.. Thornton, is prelmin-
ary TO this important and pretentious de-
yelopment.
Sir Edward Thornton arrived in Wash
ingtOn on Tuesday and took rooms at
Wormley's. He goes 10 Virginia to-day ON
the bonded business it is thought.
Refuses to Interfere.
ST. Louis, April 2s.-The following
letter explains itself:
WASHINGTON, D. c., April 10.
To The Sisters Of ST. Joseph, ST. Louis: